WATERx
WATERx
Premiered on 7 May 2023, WATERx is a hybrid concert/art installation exploring the unconscious in an immersive journey across five landscapes of water: GLACIER, WATERFALL, GORGE, RIVER, and SEA.
Five pieces, five landscapes.
The music of WATERx travels through five bodies of water, each investigating a different state of mind, inviting visitors to consider the erratic memories and slippery self-deceptions that hide in the deepest parts of us. Digital artist Haran Kim also shares her vibrant portfolio of fixed media works and experimental animations, using innovative projection mapping technology to re-sculpt New England Conservatory’s historic Brown Hall into a probing tribute to the self-transformative potential of art.
Trailers & more below!
Boston Premiere
May 7, 2023
II. WATERFALL
Cataracta by Kyle Brenn
with animation by Dani Strigi
Performed by Caroline Jesalva, Njord Fossnes, and Jonah Kernis
I. GLACIER
The Call from the Other World by Tianfang Jia
Performed by Jordan Jenifor, Tianfang Jia, and Ariel Mo
IV. RIVER
Riverbed by Rihards Kolmanis
with projection mapping by Haran Kim
Performed by Rihards Kolmanis, Njord Fossnes, Jonathan Swensen, Shalun Li, and Ariel Mo
III. GORGE
Move Like A Gorge
Improvisation by Blind Glass Ensemble: Caroline Jesalva, Zion Dyson, Aaron Kaufman Levine, Solomon Caldwell, and Noah Mark
v. SEA
Memories of the skin of the water of its reflections of the sun by Bahar Royaee
with projection mapping by Haran Kim
Performed by Shalun Li and Ariel Mo

People
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Ariel Mo
Artistic Director
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Caroline Jesalva
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Andrew Barnwell
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Haran Kim
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Kyle Brenn
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Tianfang Jia
Composer
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Rihards Kolmanis
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Bao Nguyen
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Bahar Royaee
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Shalun Li
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Njord Fossnes
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Jonathan Swensen
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Jonah Kernis
Cello
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Solomon Caldwell
Bass
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Zion Dyson
Voice
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Noah Mark
Drums
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Aaron Kaufman Levine

Rehearsal excerpt of CATARACTA (II. Waterfall) by KYLE BRENN with animation by Dani Strigi. Performed by Caroline Jesalva, Njord Fossnes, and Jonah Kernis.
WATERx was conceived of as a growing, evolving installation adaptable to new spaces and arrangements.
If you are interested in collaborating, or have a suggestion in mind, please feel free to contact us at waterxconcerts@gmail.com!
Event photos generously provided by Andrew Hurlbut.
Concert audio/video and setup photos by Dave Jamrog.

Funding for this project was made possible by The Robert Turnbull Piano Foundation and NEC Entrepreneurial Musicianship. Special thanks especially to Fred Frumberg and Annie Phillips for their advice and support in the creation of WATERx!